Gracie Lachowecki and Maddie Riedford are nearly inseparable, on and off the soccer field.

"Maddie and I have been playing together since we were eight or nine years old," said Lachowecki, Memorial's all-state senior forward. "On every single team we have always gone together. At the same time, we are best friends off the field, too."

Lachowecki and Riedford are entering their last postseason together before playing collegiately for the University of Miami (Fla.) and IUPUI, respectively.

Receiving a first-round bye, No. 4 Memorial (14-3) will play Reitz at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Class 2A sectional semifinals at the EVSC Fields. Bosse and Mount Vernon will meet in the tourney opener at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. The winner will face Harrison at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the second semifinal.

"We went into the tournament with no losses and lost our first game out. We've really tried to tell the girls how it feels to have your season end, just like that. They understand that and will come out and try their hardest."

When Lachowecki and Riedford were freshmen, the Tigers advanced to the state semifinals. As juniors, they lifted Memorial to the semistate semifinals.

"We have really strong leadership with eight seniors," said Tigers coach Angie Lensing. "We have two four-year starters in Gracie and Maddie. I would have to say those two have (demonstrated great) leadership and maturity. They have an outstanding work ethic and have been committed all four years."

After Hailey Greif scored on an assist from Hannah Hodge in the first half, Lachowecki added a goal in the final 10 minutes of Memorial's 2-0 victory over Louisville (Ky.) Sacred Heart Academy on Saturday at the EVSC Fields.

"We won the ball off a counterattack and Jacqui Wandling played me a through ball and I had a breakaway," said Lachowecki, who boosted her season total to 26 goals.

"I just know (Riedford has) got the defense under control, and I'm in charge of the offense. We totally depend on and trust one another."

After Alex Kixmiller graduated, Riedford said she was named to lead the defense.

"Gracie is doing a great job of taking the offense under her wing and coaching them on what to do," Riedford said.

They can't believe their final postseason wearing a Tiger uniform is upon them.

"We're just trying to make it last as long as possible, which would be going to state," Lachowecki said.